Rib reconstruction device

Abstract

An apparatus ( 10 ) for the correction of chest deformities is provided and includes a rib implant ( 26 ) for mounting to a rib, a sternal implant ( 22 ) for mounting to a sternum, and a first elongate member ( 24 ). The rib implant includes a first aperture ( 44 ) having a first axis ( 45 ). The sternal implant includes a second aperture ( 140 ) having a second axis ( 143 ). The first elongate member has a first end ( 152 ) adjustably received in the first aperture and a second end ( 150 ) adjustably received in the second aperture.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for the correction of chest deformities, the apparatus comprising:
 a rib implant for mounting to a rib, the rib implant including a first aperture having a first axis; 
 a sternal implant for mounting to a sternum, the sternal implant including a second aperture having a second axis; and 
 a first elongate member having a first end adjustably received in the first aperture and a second end adjustably received in the second aperture, wherein the first elongate member is configured to be adjustable in an axial direction relative to the first aperture of the rib implant or the second aperture of the sternal implant. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first axis is generally parallel to the second axis. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first axis is generally aligned with the second axis. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the rib implant includes a third aperture having a third axis, and wherein the rib is adjustably received in the third aperture. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the third axis intersects the first axis. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the third axis is generally parallel to the first axis. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rib implant includes a first channel configured to receive a first rib, the first channel including a third axis intersecting the second axis. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising a suture member operatively securing the first rib within the first channel. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plate member for clamping the rib between the plate member and the rib implant. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second rib implant for mounting to a rib, the second rib implant including a third aperture having a third axis, and wherein the sternal implant includes a fourth aperture having a fourth axis; and 
 a second elongate member having a first end adjustably received in the third aperture and a second end adjustably received in the fourth aperture. 
 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the third and fourth axes are generally parallel to the first and second axes. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first rib implant includes a fifth aperture having a fifth axis, and the second rib implant includes a sixth aperture having a sixth axis. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the fifth axis is generally parallel to the sixth axis and generally perpendicular to the third and fourth axis. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising a support member disposed in the fifth and sixth apertures. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first elongate member is flexible. 
     
     
       16. An apparatus for the correction of chest deformities, the apparatus comprising:
 a first bracket for mounting to a first rib, the first bracket including a first rib-receiving aperture, a first rod-receiving aperture, and a first support member-receiving aperture, the first rib-receiving aperture having a first rib-receiving axis, the first rod-receiving aperture having a first rod-receiving axis generally perpendicular to the first rib-receiving axis, and the first support member-receiving aperture having a first support member-receiving aperture axis generally parallel to the first rod-receiving axis; 
 a second bracket for mounting to a second rib, the second bracket including a second rib-receiving aperture, a second rod-receiving aperture, and a second support member-receiving aperture, the second rib-receiving aperture having a second rib-receiving axis, the second rod-receiving aperture having a second rod-receiving axis generally perpendicular to the second rib-receiving axis, and the second support member-receiving aperture having a second support member-receiving aperture axis generally parallel to the second rod-receiving axis; 
 a plate having first and second channels formed therein, the plate operable to clamp the first rib in the first channel and in the first rib-receiving aperture, and clamp the second rib in the second channel and in the second rib-receiving aperture; 
 a sternal implant for mounting to a sternum, the sternal p t including a third rod-receiving aperture having a third rod-receiving axis; 
 a support member adjustably disposed in the first and second support member-receiving apertures; and 
 a flexible rod adjustably disposed in the first, second and third rod-receiving apertures. 
 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first rod-receiving axis is generally parallel to the third rod-receiving axis. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first rib is adjustably received in the first rib-receiving aperture. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a suture member operatively securing the sternum to the sternal implant. 
     
     
       20. An apparatus for the correction of chest deformities, the apparatus comprising:
 a rib implant for mounting to a rib, the rib implant including a rib-receiving aperture having a rib-receiving axis, a first rod-receiving aperture having a first rod-receiving axis, and a support member-receiving aperture having a support member-receiving axis extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rib-receiving axis and the first rod-receiving axis; 
 a sternal implant for mounting to a sternum, the sternal implant including a second rod-receiving aperture having a second rod-receiving axis extending in a direction substantially parallel to the rib-receiving axis and the first rod-receiving axis; and 
 a rod member having a first end adjustably disposed in the first rod-receiving aperture and a second end adjustably disposed in the second rod receiving aperture.